NEWFIELD - Scholarship, character, leadership and service were front and center on March 13 as Our Lady of Mercy Academy inducted 18 new members into The Mother Patricia Gaynor Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Led by senior NHS members, the candlelit induction ceremony highlighted the criteria necessary to gain admission to this chapter. This included proven leadership ability, strong character, dedication to academic excellence as demonstrated by a grade-point average of at least 3.7, plus more than 65 hours of community service.

Part of the ceremony included heartfelt thanks to OLMA teachers made by each student as she came forward to receive her cords, pin and certificate.

"What a great ceremony we had honoring these young women and the teachers who inspire them every single day," said Melissa Szawlewicz, College Guidance Counselor. "The criteria we use to select NHS members is tougher than most, yet our students continue to rise to the challenge. I'm very proud of these young women. They have very bright futures ahead."

Elizabeth Myers, a new member of Our Lady of Mercy Academy’s National Honor Society, embraces her teacher, Patti Blackshear, as other inductees, parents and students look on.(Photo: Provided)

The inductees are:

Tianna Berkley, Buena

Ava Casale, Sewell

Alyssa D’Alessandro, Vineland

Rachel Donahue, Wenonah

Delaney Donzola, Milmay

Lia D’Orio, Vineland

Madeline Fawcett, Millville

Maris Horner, Ocean View

Kimberly Kinkade, Milmay

Madisson Luciano, Franklinville

Nicolette Merlino, Vineland

Elizabeth Myers, Hammonton

Caelah Palumbo, Sewell

Mia Rudolph, Vineland

Corinne Shields, Millville

Isabella Testa, Voorhees

Catherine Thomas, Vineland

Emily Torrence, Marmora

For OLMA information, call (856) 697-2008 or visit olmanj.org.

Samantha McBurrows, a senior and a National Honor Society member at Our Lady of Mercy Academy, lights a candle during the academy’s recent induction ceremony.(Photo: Provided)